My brother dug this old Danforth #27A out of his shed & gave to me. I was thinking of using as a backup for my Pearson 34 (I have a perfectly good CQR). Any experience with these old cast Danforths? A lot heavier than the fabricated ones but smaller (width) flukes. Dimensionly (lengths) it is the right size, as related to current Danforth models.
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Second anchor?
The old Danforth could become a second anchor. A slightly undersized, or ANY second anchor can be a God send. The additional holding power could vastly improve sleeping. Possible uses include: as a stern anchor, or in a 60° bow set, even in tandem? You may use it as a lunch hook, what if you should loose the primary CQR? Use the rule of the "Knowledgeable Self Sufficient Sailor" and decide if you would like to carry one anchor / rode set, or two? "Sail Fast, Live Slow" (Unknown) JC Capt of Wandering C's Pearson 33 [The shackle between the anchor and rode is a common week link, always check working loads.]
The old Danforth could become a second anchor. A slightly undersized, or ANY second anchor can be a God send. The additional holding power could vastly improve sleeping. Possible uses include: as a stern anchor, or in a 60° bow set, even in tandem? You may use it as a lunch hook, what if you should loose the primary CQR? Use the rule of the "Knowledgeable Self Sufficient Sailor" and decide if you would like to carry one anchor / rode set, or two? "Sail Fast, Live Slow" (Unknown) JC Capt of Wandering C's Pearson 33 [The shackle between the anchor and rode is a common week link, always check working loads.]
weight
The only thing the weight will do for you is help it catch. It will not increase holding power. The holding power comes from the width of the flukes. However, two anchors are always better then one and nothing beats free equipment
except free beer
The only thing the weight will do for you is help it catch. It will not increase holding power. The holding power comes from the width of the flukes. However, two anchors are always better then one and nothing beats free equipment
except free beer 
use it as a 2nd
on my recent trip, I had to anchor overnight in a few inlets where the water current was pretty fast, I wouldn’t have got any sleep if it wasn’t for my 2nd anchor and my GPS's anchor alarm...! Also, in a confined waterway where you normally wouldn’t have room for a full 360 swing (or you don’t think it would hold) anchoring the 2nd off the stern (Bahamian moor) is a great way to avoid that spin around when the reverse current hits ya.. I don’t think I would ever cruse with only one anchor, but my experience is more limited than many of the other members here. Besides, nothing beats free gear!
on my recent trip, I had to anchor overnight in a few inlets where the water current was pretty fast, I wouldn’t have got any sleep if it wasn’t for my 2nd anchor and my GPS's anchor alarm...! Also, in a confined waterway where you normally wouldn’t have room for a full 360 swing (or you don’t think it would hold) anchoring the 2nd off the stern (Bahamian moor) is a great way to avoid that spin around when the reverse current hits ya.. I don’t think I would ever cruse with only one anchor, but my experience is more limited than many of the other members here. Besides, nothing beats free gear!
Is it a Danforth?
I don't think so. Wasn't it a USN fellow by the name of Richard Ogg who developed the Danforth to be used by amphibs during amphibious assaults? It's my understanding the basic broad fluke area, where the holding power of the anchor resides, has always been part of the Danforth design. Also, during manufacture the two flukes are turned in opposite directions, so that the anchor's performance is independent of which way it is oriented to the bottom. This anchor appears to have both flukes turned in the same direction, which will at the least change the strength of the flukes when stressed in one direction vs. the other. OTOH this design appears to be someone's idea of an 'improved' broad fluke burying anchor without the broad flukes. A discussion of how many anchors to carry aside, I'd ditch it. For me, it wouldn't even be a good eBay candidate, since I wouldn't consider loaning it to someone I cared about. Jack
I don't think so. Wasn't it a USN fellow by the name of Richard Ogg who developed the Danforth to be used by amphibs during amphibious assaults? It's my understanding the basic broad fluke area, where the holding power of the anchor resides, has always been part of the Danforth design. Also, during manufacture the two flukes are turned in opposite directions, so that the anchor's performance is independent of which way it is oriented to the bottom. This anchor appears to have both flukes turned in the same direction, which will at the least change the strength of the flukes when stressed in one direction vs. the other. OTOH this design appears to be someone's idea of an 'improved' broad fluke burying anchor without the broad flukes. A discussion of how many anchors to carry aside, I'd ditch it. For me, it wouldn't even be a good eBay candidate, since I wouldn't consider loaning it to someone I cared about. Jack
yup, Danforth
Yes, Danforth is cast right into the shank. Along with "Pat. Pending" which may be an age clue. I emailed photo to Danforth to see if they have any design data. I'm wondering if anyone has experience w/these. Flukes are now wider. Were these know to pull out?? etc. Oh, the layout (fluke direction, etc.) is same as modern models.
Yes, Danforth is cast right into the shank. Along with "Pat. Pending" which may be an age clue. I emailed photo to Danforth to see if they have any design data. I'm wondering if anyone has experience w/these. Flukes are now wider. Were these know to pull out?? etc. Oh, the layout (fluke direction, etc.) is same as modern models.
change the shackle and use it.
put some chain on it and try it. put it out in your cruising grounds and back down on it . I think you will be suprised to see how well it holds.
put some chain on it and try it. put it out in your cruising grounds and back down on it . I think you will be suprised to see how well it holds.
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